Despite several absences on defense, FC Schalke 04 II earned a point at SC Paderborn.

A last-ditch save and three shots off the post! But FC Schalke 04’s reserve team earned a 1-1 (1-1) draw at SC Paderborn II in the rescheduled match from Matchday 19 of the Regionalliga West.

The home team got off to the better start, pressing high up the field and trying to apply pressure. But Schalke also found their rhythm after a brief delay: Both teams battled for control.

Just as the visitors were beginning to create their first offensive opportunities, Paderborn took the lead with their first real chance: Pedro Restrepo Naranjo broke through on the right flank, found Julius Bugenhagen, who finished to make it 1-0 (15th minute). Just a few minutes later, it was nearly 2–0, but Bennit Bröger hit the post.

Due to numerous absences (Mika Khadr, Tim Dietrich, and Max Hauswirth), Schalke showed coordination problems in defense. Paderborn took more and more control of the game. The equalizer came out of nowhere: Following a free kick, Yassin Ben Balla—who was playing out of position at center back that day—jumped highest and headed the ball in to make it 1–1 (29th minute).

The hosts remained the more active team, but Schalke also hit the woodwork: Peter Remmert struck the post off a corner (43rd minute)—the final play of the first half.

SC Paderborn remained the more active team after the break as well, while Jakob Fimpel’s squad was visibly struggling to regain their composure. Apart from another shot off the post by Noah Ringbeck, set up by the unstoppable Naranjo (47′), and a huge chance by Georg Ermolaev, there were no real scoring opportunities for the East Westphalians. This was largely thanks to the ever-present Ben Balla and goalkeeper Luca Podlech.

And an unsportsmanlike conduct incident! Shortly before the end, as Paderborn launched a counterattack, a second ball was thrown onto the field from the direction of the Schalke bench, resulting in a yellow card. In stoppage time, things got chaotic once again in the visitors’ penalty area; after several attempts, the ball was cleared—right to the feet of Marlon Becker, who took a shot from 22 meters out. Podlech secured the ball and the point.